Energy Secretary Vows Science-Education Efforts

U.S. Secretary of Energy James D. Watkins has vowed to create an
"action plan" to improve science and mathematics education by 2007, the
year children born today will graduate from high school.

Emerging from a two-day conference held this month at the Lawrence
Hall of Science at the University of California at Berkeley, Admiral
Watkins said he will include such a plan in a national energy strategy
he will submit to President Bush next April.

"The numerous suggestions provided over the past several days will
help me finalize my plan for action to improve the scientific literacy
of the American people so that we can lead the world into the 21st
century," Admiral Watkins said.

Conference participants discussed ways in which the department could
help increase the supply of well-qualified science teachers, improve
curricula, fill the "pipeline" of pro4spective scientists and
engineers, and revitalize math and science education in inner cities
and rural areas.

In addition, the participants also considered proposals to boost the
number of women, minorities, and handicapped students pursuing math and
science courses and careers, and to raise the general level of
scientific literacy.

Some of the proposals could go into effect as early as next year,
department officials said.

Although the Energy Department plans to work with other agencies,
including the Education Department, to implement its plans, the
officials said, it also has substantial resources of its own.

The department's network of 50 national laboratories, which employ
135,000 scientists, could supply as teacher-trainers or as mentors
skilled technicians who are knowledgeable about their field, the
officials noted.

In addition, they pointed out, the laboratories offer students and
teachers an opportunity to observe top-grade facilities, and could be a
source of laboratory equipment.

Mr. Watkins said his proposals would form the first steps toward
solving the well-documented problems in math and science education.

"We already know that scientific illiteracy is rampant and that
shortages loom in the supply of trained scientists and engineers," he
said. "Instead of statistics, we will look at solutions."--rr

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